Primary Bank, which celebrated its grand opening Friday as the first new New Hampshire bank in seven years, expects to build three additional branches and reach at least $300 million in assets in the...

Fisher Cats explode for big revenge win

MANCHESTER — After losing 16-2 on Saturday night, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (33-36) made it a memorable Father's Day with a 22-1 smashing of the Erie SeaWolves (36-31) to salvage the finale of a five-game homestand.

In the bottom of the first inning, Kevin Pillar smoked a double to the gap in left-center field to spark a four-run inning. A.J. Jimenez drove home the first run followed by a two-run homer from Brad Glenn. A two-out solo shot by Adam Loewen made it 4-0.

Two innings later, a five-spot added to the lead. Glenn and Kevin Nolan singled home runs before Loewen belted a second home run — this one a three-run drive — to push New Hampshire ahead 9-0 after three.

If it wasn't decided at that point, the Fisher Cats put the game away in the fourth inning. Nolan started the rally with a two-run double followed by a Jack Murphy RBI single to push the lead to 12-0. Tommy Manzella made it 13-1 with a bases loaded walk. It was 14-1 after Pillar picked up an RBI groundout. Before the inning was over, Jimenez picked up a two-out RBI, which was followed by a two-run error from Erie to cap an eight-run inning for a 17-0 lead.

Marcus Stroman (3-1) was able to work free and easy with the big lead, pitching a career-high six innings to earn his third win. The righty allowed a solo homer in the fifth for Erie's only run. He gave up just three total hits while striking out five and walking one.

After a scoreless fifth, the bats returned in the sixth with Pillar and Brian Van Kirk tallying consecutive doubles for an 18-1 lead. In the eighth, Jimenez drove home the 19th run followed by a two-run double by Nolan. Loewen capped off the affair with a double to score Nolan for the 22-1 margin.

The Fisher Cats scored the most runs in a game since they set the franchise record of 23 on May 22, 2006, against Connecticut. Jimenez went 5-for-6 to set a new personal best in both categories while also tying the franchise record in each statistic.

Loewen finished the day 4-for-6 becoming the second player with two homers in a game for the Fisher Cats this season. He finished the day with five RBIs, as did Nolan, who tied his career best in that category.

All told, every Fisher Cat in the lineup had at least one hit, every player scored a run, and eight of nine drove home a run.

After a 2-3 homestand, the Fisher Cats are off today before beginning a six-game road trip Tuesday night in Altoona. Righty Marcus Walden gets the ball in the opener at 7 p.m.

Clint Robinson's seventh home run of the season stood as the lone bright spot for the Fisher Cats (32-36), who have lost back-to-back games to the SeaWolves (36-30).Erie gave the Fisher Cats a 1-2 knockout punch in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Daniel Fields hit a line drive that deflected off starting and losing pitcher Sean Nolin's (3-2) throwing elbow for a base hit. Nolin was forced to leave the game due to the comebacker, and Erie plated three runs against reliever Matt Wright on an RBI double and a two-run homer by James McCann.

The SeaWolves padded their lead with three more runs in the second to make it 6-0. After Robinson homered in the bottom of the second to cut into the lead, Erie picked up four more in the third, highlighted by a homer from James Robbins, to extend the advantage to 10-1.

The onslaught continued as Erie added three more runs in the fourth against Wright. He left after allowing 12 runs on 13 hits, both career highs and franchise records for a relief pitcher.

Robbins drove in four runs for Erie. Fields, who drove in three runs, also homered. Wade Gaynor had four hits and two RBIs, while Eugenio Suarez had three hits and two RBIs.

Kyle Lobstein (6-4) threw seven solid innings for the win. He allowed six hits, walked one and struck out four.

Brian Van Kirk drove home the Fisher Cats' second run in the fourth inning before Erie greeted Shawn Griffith with three more to make it 16-2 in the fifth.